Total enrollment
6,546
-249 (-4%) vs SY 2017-18
Branch County
Michigan · Public K-12
Branch County runs 18 public K-12 schools per the latest NCES counts, with an average school size of about 364 students. By level, that breaks down as 7 elementary, 3 middle, and 6 high schools.
7-year change in Branch County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
16
-1 (-6%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
83%
was 87%
% Hispanic
12%
was 9%
% Black
2%
was 0%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
18
7 districts
Enrollment
6,546
NCES CCD
Median income
$63,724
Below Michigan avg
Free/reduced lunch
58.1%
Above Michigan avg
Elementary
7
2,416 students
Middle
3
1,206 students
High
6
2,162 students
Combined / other
2
762 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Coldwater Community Schools
2,813 students · 7 districts in Branch County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Branch County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
17.3%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.7%
civilian labor
Median age
41
23.5% under 18
Test scores in Branch County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. Michigan state average: 47.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Union City Middle School· 41.2%
- Quincy Middle School· 40.5%
- Legg Middle School· 39.3%
- Ryan Elementary School· 38.7%
- Jefferson Elementary School· 36.6%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Pansophia Academy· 27.1%
- Jennings Elementary School· 34.9%
- Lakeland Elementary School· 36.5%
- Jefferson Elementary School· 36.6%
- Ryan Elementary School· 38.7%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coldwater High School | Coldwater | High | 09-12 | 981 | · |
| Legg Middle School | Coldwater | Middle | 06-08 | 616 | · |
| Bronson JrSr High School | Bronson | High | 06-12 | 530 | · |
| Pansophia Academy | Coldwater | Combined | KG-12 | 514 | · |
| Larsen Elementary School | Coldwater | Elementary | KG-01 | 463 | · |
| Jennings Elementary School | Quincy | Elementary | KG-05 | 408 | · |
| Jefferson Elementary School | Coldwater | Elementary | 02-03 | 378 | · |
| Lakeland Elementary School | Coldwater | Elementary | 04-05 | 375 | · |
| Union City Elementary School | Union City | Elementary | PK-04 | 359 | · |
| Quincy High School | Quincy | High | 07-12 | 346 | · |
| Quincy Middle School | Quincy | Middle | 05-08 | 345 | · |
| Union City High School | Union City | High | 09-12 | 305 | · |
| Waldron Learning Center | Coldwater | Combined | PK-12 | 248 | · |
| Union City Middle School | Union City | Middle | 05-08 | 245 | · |
| Ryan Elementary School | Bronson | Elementary | 03-05 | 217 | · |
| Anderson Elementary School | Bronson | Elementary | KG-02 | 216 | · |
| Branch Area Careers Center | Coldwater | High | 11-12 | 0 | · |
| Lakeland Correctional Facility | Coldwater | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Branch County
About Branch County
Branch County is a sparse county of about 45,300 residents in Michigan. Its public-school system teaches approximately 6,546 students across 18 schools.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $63,724, about 17% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and the federal-poverty share is near 10%.
In terms of grade levels, Branch County comprises 7 elementary schools (2,416 students), 3 middle schools (1,206), 6 high schools (2,162), and 2 combined or other schools.
Coldwater Community Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 2,813 students on its own.
Over the past 7-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Branch County has decreased 4% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 6,795 students to 6,546. The school count fell from 17 to 16 across the same 7-year window. The White share of public-school enrollment shrank from 87% to 83%.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Branch County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
Branch County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data